Suncor and COSIA made good progress in 2014 on the tailings, water, land and greenhouse gases focus areas. Suncor is strongly committed to COSIA's mandate and we'll be working hard with fellow member companies in coming months to ensure momentum of COSIA projects is sustained.

Collaboration important

Sharing the cost of priority work allows Suncor to accomplish more than we could on our own at a lower cost (which is paramount in this part of the business cycle).

In some cases, Suncor leads research and development of new technologies, such as the SAGD LITE program (aimed at reducing energy and water use with a minimal implementation cost). In other instances, we collaborate through consortiums or third parties (as we’ve done to pursue waterless extraction methods like the N-Solv or ESEIEH pilots). We also monitor technologies developed by external parties to assess potential for using them in our business.

Another way Suncor is driving better results is through the adoption and pursuit of internal environmental performance goals, which ensure our efforts are directed to important areas.

Performance targets

Strategic programs in water consumption, reclamation of disturbed lands, energy efficiency and air emissions were established in 2009 with 2015 targets. Making progress toward these targets and planning for beyond 2015 will remain a high priority throughout 2015.

Keeping the pedal down on work to accelerate environmental performance is a critical job which needs to continue.

Finding ways to develop this long-term resource with fewer environmental impacts only makes sense, especially given its important role as part of our energy mix.

Oil Sands Question and Response (OSQAR) is a blog created by Suncor Energy to support constructive dialogue about the oil sands. In our weekly posts, we talk about the energy industry, environmental impact, tailings management and reclamation, water management and the social and economic implications of oil sands development.

Our oil sands operations are near Fort McMurray, Alberta, where we recover bitumen from oil sands through mining and in situ operations. The bitumen from both operations is then upgraded to refinery-ready feedstock and diesel fuel. More about the where and the what of the oil sands can be found on our oil sands resource page.